Tire-chain fastener



Sept. 30 1924. 1,509,897

- J. F. GRAHAM TIRE CHAIN FASTENER Filed March 1924 WITNESSQ": ATTORNEY Fetented 30, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH F. GRAHAM, OF 'IUNNELTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

TIRE-CHAIN FASTENEB.

Application filed March 3, 1924. Serial No. 696,679.

To all whom it may concern.

B it known that I, Josnrn: F. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tunnelton, in the county of Preston and State of West Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tire-Chain Fasteners, of which the following is a speciiication.

The object of my said invention is the provision of a tire chain fastener susceptible of quick and easy operation and adapted to safely and strongly hold a tire chain under tension on an automobile or other vehicle wheel.

To the attainment of the foregoing, the invention consists in the improvement hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification Figure 1 is a plan view of my novel fastener in open state.

Figure 2 is a similar View showing the fastener as closed and secured in closed state.

Figure 3 is an edge elevation of the closed fastener.

Figures 1 and 5 are detail views hereinafter explicitly referred to.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

My novel fastener is formed of appropriate wire and includes among other elements a U-shaped body 1 with eyes 2 at its ends. The fastener also comprises tongue 3 and a keeper 1, the said keeper being adapted to be detachably secured in closed position relative to the body 1 and to securely fasten the tongue 3 in working position.

As clearly illustrated the tongue 3 is provided with a loop e at its heel, and the said loop terminates in lateral journals 5 disposed in the eyes 2 and retained by hooks 6 in said eyes.

As will be understood by comparison of Figures 1, 2 and 3, the loop 4* extends at right angles to and at one side of the plane of the journals 5, while the major portion of the tongu 3 extends at the opposite side of the journals and lies in the same plane as both sides of the loop 4. Manifestly when formed as illustrated the tongue and its appurtenances are comprised in a single stiff and strong element.

The keeper 4: includes a bail portion 7 adapted to straddle the closed tongue 3, Figures 2 and 3, and also includes coils 8 mounted on the bight of the body 1 and arms 9. Both the bail portion 7 and the arms 9 are resilient, and the arms 9 terminate in outwardly directed hooks 10 which are adapted to be sprung into and out of engagement with the side portions of the body 1. Manifestly when the hooks 10 are so engaged with the side portions of the body 1, the tongue 3 will be securely retained in th y closed position shown in Figures 2 and 3 while when the said hooks 10 are disengaged from the body 1 and the keeper 4 is swung to open position the tongue 3 can also be swung to open position.

The tongue 3 in use is adapted to receive the end of a tire chain which is permanent-- ly connected to the opposite end of the fastener, and when the tongue 3 is swung to closed position it will take up slack in the chain, and then when the keeper 4 is secured over the closed tongue, the chain will be strongly held under tension and in working position.

Notwithstanding the practical advantages of my novel fastener, it will be noted that the fastener is simple and inexpensive in construction and is well adapted to With.- stand the rough usage to which wheel appurtenances are ordinarily subjected.

I have entered into a detailed description of the construction and relative arrangement of parts embraced in the present and preferred embodiment of my invention in order to impart a full, clear and exact understanding of the said embodiment. I do not desire, however, to be understood} as confining myself to the specific construction and relative arrangement of parts inasmuch as in the future practice of the invention various changes and modifications may be made such as fall within the scope of my invention as defined in my appended claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

A tire chain fastener comprising a U- shaped body having eyes at its ends, a tongue having a loop at its heel and also having lateral journals disposed in said eyes and terminating in hooks, the said tongue and resilient arms terminating in outwardly directed hooks adapted to be sprung into and out of engagement with the side portions of the body.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH F. GRAHAL'I. 

